Problems May Lead To Further Delays In Delivering The Aircraft

The annual report from the Department of Defense Office of Test and Evaluation (OT&E) indicates that the F-35B STOVL variant for the U.S. Marine Corps may be delayed by software code it says is "unacceptable."

Defense News reports that, according to the report, the problem may cause the USMC to miss its planned 2015 Initial Operating Capacity (IOC) date.

According to the report, "The program plans to complete Block 2B fight testing in October 2014; however, there is no margin for additional growth to meet that date. Projections for completing Block 2B fight testing using the historical rate of continued growth ... show that Block 2B developmental testing will complete about 13 months later, in November 2015, and delay the associated feet release to July of 2016.”

Still, analysts think the program has reached a point that is so close to IOC for all three variants that it is unlikely the Pentagon would scrap the program, which is the more costly weapons system ever acquired by the U.S. military. Partner nations have also stuck by the airplane, which helps its cause.

Prime contractor Lockheed Martin said that the report also contains much positive information about the JSF's progress, and says it is "confident" that flight testing of the software needed for the Marine Corps IOC will be completed "this year."

FMI: www.dote.osd.mil